Amy Webber, the narrator of Gilbert’s captivating first novel and series launch, escaped an embarrassing end to her last job and romance by returning to her ancestral family home in insular Taylorsford, Va., where she is now the town librarian. Amy’s next door neighbor is the handsome, forthright, and single Richard Muir, a classically trained dancer and college instructor, who inherited an old house that once belonged to his late great-uncle, novelist Paul Dassin. According to town gossip, the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, Eleanora Cooper, with whom Paul was in love. Eleanora was acquitted of the crime, then disappeared. Richard asks Amy to assist in his research to clear Eleanora’s name. Amy and Richard’s discovery of a body in the public library archive building puts them on a path leading toward terrifying family secrets—and solutions to both past and present murders. Cozy fans will look forward to seeing more of the appealing Amy. Agent: Frances Black, Literary Counsel. (Dec.)